ABORTION DOCTORS CHARGED WITH MURDER IN MARYLAND

Two doctors,Steven Brigham, 55, of Voorhees, New Jersey and Nicola Riley, 46, of Salt Lake City were arrested and charged with fetal homicide in Maryland, based on a botched abortion.

Under Maryland law it is unlawful to kill a viable fetus. But to be convicted of murder the state has to prove that the doctors intended to kill a viable fetus.

Brigham, who owns American Women’s Services (AWS), is charged with five counts of first degree murder, five counts of second degree murder and one count of conspiracy. His employee, Riley is charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder, as well as the conspiracy charge. It is unclear how they get the five counts of murder. But, it is alleged that Brigham and Riley began a late term abortion on an eighteen year old patient at Brigham’s Vorhees, New Jersey clinic. Late term abortions are illegal in New Jersey so they brought the patient of Maryland to complete the abortion. Due to problems during the abortion the patient suffered from a ruptured uterus and bowel injuries. According to the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners the teenager was one of five women who Brigham began late term abortions in New Jersey and completed them in Maryland.

To make matters even more complicated Brigham practiced at American Family Planning (AFP) Inc in Pensacola, Florida during the 1990′s. AFP gave Brigham’s address as its mailing address. AFP’s building was the subject of a fire causing between $50,000 and $75,000 worth of damage, Sunday. There is no proof of a relationship between the fire and the Maryland charges but an investigation is continuing. ¹

The one thing we know for sure is that it is too early to prejudge the situation. The indictment has not even been released and the defendants have not been extradited. Brigham does not seem to have too many friends either inside the abortion community or outside. While many people might like to see him go down that does not mean he is guilty. We need to wait until the evidence has been released and the case is more clear. Nor is he guilty purely because he has a history of discipline by state medical boards.